Dew Claws

As most of you probably already know I adopted Penny yesterday from the Buffalo Animal shelter. My question is that she has very pronounced dew claws with already very long nails (Leo doesn't have them). She gets spayed on Tuesday, should I get her dew claws removed as well??? The nails are already very long - I am going to try clipping them today - but I don't know how she is going to take the clipping.

Poodles have their dew claws removed as wee little babies so I have never had to deal with them on my dogs. One of the dogs of my youth (a Heinz 57 variety dog :) ) had his dew claws and I can remember seeing one of them bloody, having almost gotten ripped off. That is my 'dew claw knowledge' in a nutshell, so based on that I personally would go ahead and have them removed while she is under for the spaying. Why not have the vet clip her nails at the same time. Nothing like having a manicure while under anesthesia. :)

I think it is very rare to remove the dew claws from any dog, except a tiny puppy. Maybe the vet can teach you to clip them properly, and over time you might be able to get them short enough to not be so prounounced.

Good luck and congratulations on your new addition! :)

I think front dewclaws are ok, (Nebo has them) as long as you keep them clipped very short. Especially since she has short fur on her legs, that's better then a dog that has long hair with dewclaws, I think. Hopefully she is ok with having her nails clipped.

Honestly, if I had a dog with back dewclaws I'd get the back ones removed...I can't stand back dewclaws. They get caught/ripped very easily, plus they are hard to clip.

But it's up to you. Usually when they remove dewclaws it's done as a tiny puppy, I don't think they remove them on adult dogs too often.

dew claws are removed from infants when the nail is so very tiny that it hardly even bleeds. removing them from an adult is more of a surgical procedure that I personally would only consider if they were a health risk. you may be able to ask the vet to cut them VERY short while the dog is under for its other surgery and then he an cauterize it and the dog won't have to feel it. then keeping them clipped regularly is all that is needed.

Most dogs from reputable owners have their dew claws removed when only a few days old. When they get older it does turn into a more surgical procedure but they can & ussually should be removed anyways. I would get them removed while she is already under anesthesia as it will save & both now & in the long run. They can easily get torn off even by a long piece of grass. It is nothing more serious than spaying or neutering, nothing to worry about, its just as they get older there is more of a blood supply to them so they require sutures. Very easy procedure to deal will, most of my rescued dogs still have them when I get them at an older age & I always have them removed while they are already under anesthesia and I have never had a problem w/ it.

All my dogs have their dewclaws (front only) and have never had any problems. My SIL's dog has dewclaws on all four paws and to my knowledge he has never had any issues either (he is about 6 or 7)

My Pyr had his dew claws, never a problem and my lab mix has a double back dew claw on one foot and dew claw on the other and never a problem with him either.Both dogs were rescue allthough the pyr we knew the breeder and was already neutered,the lab mix we neutered but as no problems were occuring we decided with our vet why bother and to this day I trim all the dogs nails regularly and there are no problems.The dew claws do grow a bit faster as they don't wear down any but why put them through any discomfort unless it is necessary.None of the others have dewclaws..If the nails are long now do have the vet cut them while she is under and then cut them very frequently and keep them short and little by little you will get them cut back.Plus they get used to it with you playing with their feet alot and I use treats on some of the dogs/some I don't but lots of love and I take my time but it usually only takes a few minutes.
Laurie

I am going to check with my vet, but minimally I am going to have all her nails cut short and cauterized. Her nails are so long and the quick is so far into the nail that I think it would be easier to maintain if I have them done. I am still considering having the back dew claws removed, just because with then new house there is such a large hard and a lot of trees, I am scared she will get them caught on something. I'll let you know how it goes.

AGAIN - thanks for the great advice

I forgot to add in my post that it is ussually just the rear dew claws removed. All my dogs except one has their front dew claws, no one has their rear ones. The front ones ussually do not protrude as much as the rear ones, therefore do not pose as much as a threat.